Pontoon Protection System

ABSTRACT

A pontoon protection system for protecting pontoons from being damaged. The pontoon protection system generally includes a protective device having an elongated structure and at least one securing device adapted to secure the protective device to the side of a pontoon of a pontoon boat. The protective device includes a plurality of channels and ribs that are parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the protective device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to pontoon protector and more specifically it relates to a pontoon protection system for protecting pontoons from being damaged.

2. Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Pontoon boats have two or more buoyant pontoons that support a deck. During usage of a pontoon boat, the outside portions of the pontoons become damaged after engaging various types of objects (e.g. a dock, a boat, a personal watercraft). The damage to the pontoon by an object may not only diminish the appearance of the pontoon boat (e.g. small dents, scratches, scuff marks) but may also interfere with the operation of the boat (e.g. large dents, a hole in the pontoon).

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved pontoon protection system for protecting pontoons from being damaged.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a pontoon protector which includes a protective device having an elongated structure and at least one securing device adapted to secure the protective device to the side of a pontoon of a pontoon boat. The protective device includes a plurality of channels and ribs that are parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the protective device.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention attached to the side of a pontoon of a pontoon boat.

FIG. 2a is an upper perspective view of a convention pontoon boat prior to installation of the protective device.

FIG. 2b is an upper perspective view of the protective device initially being attached to the side of the pontoon.

FIG. 2c is a magnified view of the protective device being attached to the pontoon from FIG. 2 b.

FIG. 2d is an upper perspective view of the protective device being attached to the side of the pontoon.

FIG. 2e is an upper perspective view of the protective device being attached to the side of the pontoon.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the protective device.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the protective device and the adhesive strips.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the protective device with the adhesive strips attached to the inner surface.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the protective device attached to the side of the pontoon.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the protective device engaging an object directly instead of the pontoon thereby protecting the pontoon from damage.

FIG. 9 is an end view of an alternative embodiment of the protective device having a solid structure without ribs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate a pontoon protection system, which comprises a protective device 20 having an elongated structure and at least one securing device adapted to secure the protective device 20 to the side of a pontoon 12 (a.k.a. a tube) of a pontoon boat 10. The protective device 20 includes a plurality of channels 27 and ribs 28 that are parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the protective device 20.

B. Protective Device

The protective device 20 is attached to the outside wall of the pontoon 12 of the pontoon boat 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The protective device 20 is preferably attached to the outside walls of the left pontoon 12 and the right pontoon 12 of the pontoon boat 10. The protective device 20 does not completely cover the entire outside wall surface of the pontoon 12 and instead covers the portion of the pontoon 12 that extends outwardly from the side of the pontoon 12 to protect against objects damaging the pontoon 12 such as docks, boats, personal watercraft and the like. The protective device 20 is preferably constructed of a material and/or structure that is able to be cut at various lengths with a trimming knife or other tool.

The protective device 20 has an elongated structure with a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end opposite of the first end. The protective device 20 is preferably attached to the side of the pontoon 12 in a single unitary structure as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 b through 2 e of the drawings, however, the protective device 20 may be attached in a plurality of sections to the side of the pontoon 12.

The protective device 20 has a length substantially equal to the length of a side of a pontoon 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The length of the protective device 20 may come from the factory at a predetermined measurement or provided to the end user at a length longer than the pontoon 12 so the end user may cut the protective device 20 to the desired length. The protective device 20 preferably extends from the rea end of the pontoon 12 to the nose cone of the pontoon 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The protective device 20 preferably has an elongated rectangular shape having a length sufficient to extend from the rear end of the pontoon 12 to the nose cone of the pontoon 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The protective device 20 preferably has a length of at least 18 feet but the overall length may be greater or less than 18 feet.

The protective device 20 may be provided in a spool or other suitable delivery system that has a length sufficient to protect the two outside pontoons 12 of the pontoon boat 10. For example, for a 29 foot pontoon boat 10 the length of the protective device 20 provided would be 50 feet, for a 25 foot pontoon boat 10 the length of the protective device 20 provided would be 42 feet and for a 22 foot pontoon boat 10 the length of the protective device 20 provided would be 36 feet to provide sufficient coverage for both of the outside pontoons 12 of the pontoon boat 10.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the protective device 20 has an inner surface 22 that is attached to the pontoon 12 and an outer surface 24 opposite of the inner surface 22 that engages the objects. The inner surface 22 is comprised of a flat surface. The protective device 20 is substantially flat and is further preferably a consistent thickness along a substantial portion of the protective device 20. The protective device 20 preferably has a thickness of less than 0.2 inches measured from the inner surface 22 to the outer surface 24, however, greater thicknesses may be used for the protective device 20.

The protective device 20 further includes an upper edge 21 and a lower edge 23 opposite of the upper edge 21 forming a height for the protective device 20. The upper edge 21 and the lower edge 23 are preferably parallel with respect to one another as best illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The upper edge 21 and the lower edge 23 are each further preferably comprised of a tapering structure that tapers outwardly as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The protective device 20 preferably has a height less than a height of the pontoon 12 and a height of at least 4.5 inches to provide sufficient protection to the side of the pontoon 12. It is preferable that the height of the protective device 20 is between 2 to 12 inches.

The protective device 20 may be a rigid and non-flexible material. However, the protective device 20 is preferably comprised of a flexible material to allow for spooling of the protective device 20 and accommodating the curvature of the side of the pontoon 12 when attached. The protective device 20 is preferably comprised of a water resistant material such as a plastic material, however, the protective device 20 may be constructed of other types of materials such as composite, wood, metal and the like. The inventor has found that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is particularly useful for the protective device 20 because of the strength and flexibility of PVC. It is further preferable that the PVC is extruded to form the protective device 20.

The protective device 20 may be constructed of a solid structure as illustrated in FIG. 9 or a structure having a plurality of ribs 28 as best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 of the drawings. In the solid embodiment shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings, the outer surface 24 is substantially flat with a slight convex structure as illustrated in FIG. 9.

The protective device 20 is preferably comprised of a base 26 and a plurality of ribs 28 extending outwardly from the base 26 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. A plurality of channels 27 extend between the plurality of ribs 28 in a longitudinal manner along the protective device 20 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The usage of ribs 28 and channels 27 allows for increased flexibility of the protective device 20 laterally while retaining the desired impact resistant characteristics needed to protect the pontoon 12. The plurality of ribs 28 and the plurality of channels 27 are preferably parallel with respect to one another and the longitudinal axis as further shown in FIG. 3. The plurality of ribs 28 and/or the plurality of channels 27 preferably extend substantially between the first end and the second end of the protective device 20 thereby covering the entire outer surface 24 of the protective device 20. The ribs 28 preferably have a rounded exterior surface and the channels 27 preferably have a rounded interior portion as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The sidewalls of the channels 27 are further parallel with respect to one another. The tapered upper edge 21 merges to a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the ribs 28 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The tapered lower edge 23 also merges to a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the ribs 28.

C. Securing Device

At least one securing device 30, 40 is attached to the inner surface 22 of the protective device 20 to secure the protective device 20 to a side of a pontoon 12. The securing device is preferably comprised of a non-removable securing device to prevent accidental removal of the protective device 20 from the pontoon 12. However, it can be appreciated that the securing device allows for removal of the protective device 20 if the protective device 20 should become damaged.

The securing device is comprised of at least one adhesive strip that is preferably comprised of pressure sensitive tape (e.g. pressure sensitive acrylic foam tape). Since the lower portion of the protective device 20 is the most likely to be submerged in water, the present invention includes a plurality of lower adhesive strips 40 attached to the middle portion to lower portion of the inner surface 22 of the protective device 20 as best illustrated in FIG. 4. One or more upper adhesive strips 30 are attached to the upper portion of the protective device 20 near the upper edge 21 as illustrated in FIG. 4. In one preferred embodiment, a single upper adhesive strip 30 is attached near the upper edge 21 and three lower adhesive strips 40 are attached to the lower portion of the protective device 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 6 of the drawings.

The upper adhesive strips 30 each include a removable upper backing 32 and the lower adhesive strips 40 each include a removable lower backing 42 that are removed at the time of installation as illustrated in FIGS. 2b through 2e of the drawings. The upper adhesive strips 30 and the lower adhesive strips 40 are preferably parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the protective device 20. In addition, the plurality of lower adhesive strips 40 are distally spaced apart from one another at an equal distance with the lowermost of the lower adhesive strips 40 positioned near the lower edge 23 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

D. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

To install the protective device 20, the outside surface of the pontoon 12 is cleaned with a cleaning solutions (e.g. a 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and water) using a cloth (e.g. a micro-fiber cloth) to ensure proper adhesive of the adhesive strips 30, 40. After the surface of the pontoon 12 is completely dry, the user marks the desired location of the protective device 20 on the pontoon 12 in several locations and then using masking tape connects these points along the entire side of the pontoon 12 to ensure a straight line application of the protective device 20 to the pontoon 12. A liquid primer for enhancing the adhesive of the adhesive strips 30, 40 is applied to the surface of the pontoon 12 where the protective device 20 will be attached (e.g. 3M ADHESION PROMOTER manufactured by 3M. The user then rolls out the protective device 20 on a table or other flat surface to cut to the desired length for each side of the pontoon boat 10. The user then removes approximately 8 inches of the backing 32, 42 starting at one end of the protective device 20 and then positions the protective device 20 with the adhesive strips 30, 40 facing the desired location of attachment on the pontoon 12 as illustrated in FIG. 2b of the drawings. It is important to ensure that the plurality of lower adhesive strips 40 are on the bottom near the waterline. The backing 32, 42 is removed along the length of the protective device 20 as the protective device 20 is attached along the length of the pontoon 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 2c through 2e of the drawings until the protective device 20 is fully attached as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. It is important to apply pressure along the length of the protective device 20 to ensure proper securing of the protective device 20 along the length of the pontoon 12. The above process is repeated for the opposite side pontoon 12 for the pontoon boat 10 thereby provide both sides of the pontoon boat 10. It is recommended that the user wait for at least 36 hours after attachment of the protective device 20 to the pontoons 12 before placing the pontoon boat 10 in the water.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A protective device for a pontoon on a pontoon boat, comprising: a protective device having an elongated structure, a longitudinal axis, an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, a second end opposite of said first end, an upper edge and a lower edge opposite of said upper edge, wherein said protective device is substantially flat; and at least one securing device attached to said inner surface of said protective device, wherein said at least one securing device is adapted to secure said protective device to a side of a pontoon of a pontoon boat to protect said pontoon from damage.
 2. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 1, wherein said protective device has a length substantially equal to the length of a side of a pontoon.
 3. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 2, wherein said protective device has a height less than a height of said pontoon.
 4. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 1, wherein said protective device has an elongated rectangular shape having a length of at least eighteen feet and a height of at least 4.5 inches.
 5. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 1, wherein said protective device is flexible.
 6. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 1, wherein said protective device is comprised of a plastic material.
 7. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 6, wherein said protective device is comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
 8. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 6, wherein said protective device is comprised of an extruded polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
 9. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 1, wherein said protective device is comprised of a base and a plurality of ribs extending outwardly from said base.
 10. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 9, wherein said protective device includes a plurality of channels between said plurality of ribs.
 11. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 10, wherein said plurality of ribs and said plurality of channels are parallel with respect to said longitudinal axis.
 12. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 10, wherein said plurality of ribs and said plurality of channels extend between said first end and said second end of said protective device.
 13. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 9, wherein said plurality of ribs are parallel with respect to said longitudinal axis.
 14. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 1, wherein said upper edge and said lower edge are parallel with respect to one another, and wherein said upper edge and said lower edge are each comprised of a tapering structure.
 15. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 1, wherein said protective device has a thickness of less than 0.2 inches.
 16. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 1, wherein said at least one securing device is comprised of at least one adhesive strip.
 17. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 16, wherein said at least one adhesive strip is comprised of a pressure sensitive tape.
 18. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 16, wherein said at least one adhesive strip is comprised of a pressure sensitive acrylic foam tape.
 19. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 16, wherein said at least one adhesive strip is comprised of at least one upper adhesive strip attached along an upper portion of said protective device and a plurality of lower adhesive strips attached along a lower portion of said protective device.
 20. The protective device for a pontoon of claim 19, wherein said at least one upper adhesive strip is parallel with respect to said longitudinal axis, wherein said plurality of lower adhesive strips are parallel with respect to said longitudinal axis, and wherein said plurality of lower adhesive strips are distally spaced apart from one another. 